Jivitputrika Vrat, also known as Jitiya, is a 3 day long Hindu festival. The festival is celebrated from the seventh to ninth lunar day of Krishna Paksh in Ashwin month. It is celebrated mostly in Indian states of Bihar, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh by mothers who want to pray for the long lives of their children. The Vrat is a Nirjala Vrat, where the fast is done without water as well as food for 24 hours.

The Jivitputrika Vrat is celebrated in 3 parts.

Nahai- Khai: It begins on the seventh day of Krishna Paksh in Ashwin month. On this day, mothers can consume food only after having a bath. The food has to be vegetarian, and prepared only in ghee and pink salt. Khur Jitiya/ Jivitputrika: This takes place on the eighth day of Krishna Paksh in Ashwin month. Mothers observe a strict fast without food or water for 24 hours. The Jivitputrika Puja is performed on this day. Paran: Mothers break their fast and take a bath before preparing a feast for their families. This usually includes curry, rice, noni saag, madua roti and other delicacies.

It is said that women who keep this fast never have to endure the pain of separation from their children and the children have a prosperous, healthy life. They pray for the well- being of their children.

Legend Behind the Jivitputrika Vrat

There are a few legends surrounding the Jivitputrika or Jitiya Vrat. One of them states that a female eagle and a female fox, who lived in a jungle near Narmada River, were friends. One day, they saw several women gather at the river to perform the puja and fasting and wanted to perform it themselves.

The eagle observed the fast with complete dedication but the fox was unable to curb her hunger and ate some food. As a result, the children who were born to the fox a few weeks later, died soon while the children of the eagle lived long and healthy lives.

Another legend says that Jimutvahan, a kind king of Gandharvas, gave the kingdom to his brothers and went to live with his father in the jungle. He spent his time taking care of his father. One day, he saw an old woman moaning out loud.

When he asked her, she answered that she belonged to the family of snakes and had only one child. But due to an oath, every day a snake is offered to Garuda (eagle) as feed and tomorrow is her son’s turn to become his food.

Jimutvahan consoled her and promised that her son would be safe as he will go in her son’s stead. He went the next day to lay on a bed of rocks to wait for Garuda, who attacked him with his nails. When Jimutvahan didn’t respond, Garuda was surprised and admired his bravery.

Garuda asked his identity and Jimutvahan told the entire story. Impressed with his benevolence, Garuda gave his word that he won’t take anymore sacrifices from the snake family. Since Jimutvahan saved the snake race, mothers observe the fast for the long lives of their children.

The 3rd legend takes place after the battle of Kurukshetra in the Mahabharata.  Ashwatthama showed his cowardice by killing all the sons of the Pandav brothers when they were asleep. He also used his Brahmastra to kill the unborn baby in the widow of Abhimanyu, Uttara’s womb.

Krishna restored the life of the child with his divine powers and the child was known as Jivitputra, later known as King Parikshit who carried on the legacy. Hence mothers pray on the day that Parikshit’s life was returned, to ensure their children’s well- being.

Do your online puja booking of Jivitputrika Vrat with online purohit booking from Online temple. Gain the divine blessings for the mother and her children by performing the Jivitputrika Puja.

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